Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran will miss the club’s next three domestic matches, following his sending off in his team’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
The 21-year-old saw red for stepping on defender Fabian Schar in Villa’s defeat at St. James’ Park, with the club subsequently attempting to get his sanction overturned by appealing to the Football Association (FA).
However, the FA’s decision to uphold the punishment means that the Colombian international, who’s scored 12 goals in 25 games for the Villans so far this season, will now serve a three-match suspension.
As a result, Duran will miss out on Aston Villa’s upcoming Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Leicester City, before completing his ban during their FA Cup third-round tie against West Ham.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery strongly criticised the referee’s decision in the aftermath of the game. “Wow, it’s hard to accept. Because the foot is not clear if it’s touching.”
He added, “Three matches… wow OK. Maybe because it’s Jhon Duran. We are working a lot with him to teach him always the good way and he is doing this effort.”
Director of football operations Damien Vidagany was displeased with the decision, saying: “Three matches for Jhon Duran. You know what? The most damaged here is not Villa. It’s the credibility of the ones that made this decision.
Vidagany continued, “We are going to keep fighting, nothing will destroy us and we will overcome all these unfair decisions. And we will behave like gentlemen.”